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Show OMES September 15, 2005 Hispanic Heritage Month events to highlight culture, contribution BY BETH YOUNG Hilltop Times staff Dora Gomez HEP manager encourages cultural pride BYBETH YOUNG _____ Hilltop Times staff Dora Gomez is the newly appointed Hispanic Employment Program manager. She has 18 years of experience working for the federal government and has been at Hill for the past two as an inventory management specialist. Through her new position she hopes she can help other Hispanics better themselves and their careers through education and training. "Our life is a series of choices, we can choose to go it alone or we can come together as a team and help each other through education and mentoring," she said. "This in the long run will not only help us but society in general. Hispanics are very capable and intellectual individuals and we can conquer anything we set our minds to. We just need the correct tools and knowledge to achieve this." This is not Ms. Gomez's first position helping the community. Over the years she has done work with the Hispanic Employment Program Counsel of Utah Committee, Hill Hispanic Outreach Program Committee, Image de Utah and many others. "Being a Hispanic to me is having a sense of pride of knowing that Hispanics have made many positive contributions throughout the world and being proud of our heritage and our many customs" Ms. Gomez said. "It's important to learn about our culture and pass it on to our children so they can also feel that sense of pride." "iShe is happy to have been appointed as HEP manager and is eager to help others reach their goals. She Encourages people to get involved and live this year's §ieme: Hispanic Americans: Strong and Colorful threads in the American fabric ^"Colors and cultures from throughout the world can come together to make one beautiful tapestry," Ms. Gomez said. "If we, as a very colorful and diverse culture, could come together and support one another, we as a group could become stronger. Just like a rope ... each individual thread is very week when it is used by itself, but when you put the multitudes of threads together, it is solid and can not be broken. That is the way we should look at our careers, educational opportunities and communities. When we give to someone else we gain that exact thing tenfold." For more information or to volunteer for the Hispanic Employment Program, contact Ms. Gomez at 586-1399 or dora.gomez@hill.af.mil National Hispanic Heritage Month begins today, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on Sept.16, and Chile on Sept. 18. Hill will celebrate this year's Hispanic Heritage Month observance with a variety of events that showcase the contribution and diversity of Hispanics at Hill and throughout our nation. Ah observance breakfast will be held Monday at 8 a.m. at Club Hill. Speaker Ernie Parada, 84th Combat Sustainment Wing director, will 1 discuss this year's theme "Hispanic Americans: Strong and Colorful portunities and positions," said Dora Threads in the American Fabric." "We need to have a great sense of Gomez, newly appointed Hispanic pride as Hispanics," he said. "We are Employment Program manager. "They know they have the capabilimaking very positive contributions today and need to continue to make ties to do the job, but we can help them use it to further their careers." Hill America's best. We also have According to the Hill Military Equal to ensure that we are providing an atmosphere where all of our unique Opportunity Office, 7.8 percent of cicultures work well together." vilians and 8.1 percent of military at Helping to achieve this goal is the Hill identify themselves as Hispanic, Hill Hispanic Employment Program, which is defined as a person of Mexiwhich not only promotes awareness can, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish culabout Hispanic culture and contributions but also helps Hispanics at ture or origin, regardless of race. "It's important, not just for HispanHill take advantage of employment ics, but for everyone to celebrate with opportunities. other cultures," said Master Sgt. "Our employees have the knowledge to do the job but if they don't Michael Gagnon, special observance document it or add it to their appli- program manager. "Hispanics have cation, they miss out on a lot of op- had a huge impact on. American culture - food, language and more. It's important to educate ourselves. These celebrations and observances not only build community, but dispel fears and stereotypes, so we can work together -- one mission, one team." Historically, Hispanics have not only contributed to America as a whole, but to the armed forces. The Navy's first four-star admiral was Hispanic: David Glasgow Farragut won fame as a Union hero by blocking Southern ports during the Civil War. Hispanic valor is also represented through by the 42 who have been bestowed with the highest award that can given to military personnel - the Congressional Medal of Honor. Each year since 1968, time has been set aside by presidential proclamation to honor these and other contributions of Hispanic-Americans. "We honor those proud HispanicAmerican patriots who fought and died for our country in every war and conflict since our founding," said President George W. Bush, in past proclamations on Hispanic Heritage Month. "Today, Hispanic Americans in our armed forces, National Guard and Reserve units continue this proud legacy as they stand watch on the front lines of freedom." During Hispanic Heritage Month, the president encourages public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this time with appropriate activities. In addition to the breakfast, Hill's Gerrity Memorial Library will feature displays on Hispanic Americans, books, and trivia and the Hill Youth Center will host a Latino themed dance Friday. Military members are encouraged to attend Monday's breakfast and civilian employees wishing to attend this official function should be released, without charge to leave, as time and mission requirements permits. The breakfast costs $8 for Club Hill members and $10 for nonmembers. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available from the following individuals: Dora Gomez, 586-1399; Staff Sgt. Colleen Bowman, 777-3663; Barbara Garcia, 7752258; and, 1st Lt. David Vanassche, 777-3419. good time Pet pool party a .;«**;•'•;<"•.-.; ?.;,•--,;.-- •- 5i BY Hilltop Times staff Hill pets will get the chance to show off their doggy paddle at the 3rd annual Pet Pool Party, Sept. 28 from 4-7 p.m. Owners are invited bring their furry friends to Hill's Pool 3, located at Bldg. 483 just west of the base clinic, for an afternoon of free swimming and splashing - just follow the smell of wet dog. "Dogs get the chance to swim and play with other dogs. It's fabulous," said Helen Bly, who, along with her husband Chuck, has brought their sheltie mix Benny to the pool the past two years. "It's a really great opportunity. I can't wait to bring him this year." The event has become more popular each year, with participation almost doubling from the first to second year. Howard L. Howard, Hill aquatics director says that they decided of overwhelming customer requests. "It's a fun activity for people and their pets and a great way to end the summer swim season," he said. Pets don't have to have all the fun at this event, owners can to dive in too. Also, dogs are not the only ones invited to doggy paddle; all pets are welcome. Mr. Howard says people have brought their rabbits and ferrets. "I don't think cats would enjoy the water, but they are welcome too," he said. To ensure everyone has a splashing good time, owners are responsible for the conduct of their pets and should keep a close watch on them at all times. Don't forget the towels and some good water toys, such as tennis balls. This will be the last event before the pool closes for the season. For more information call 777-3471 or 586-2600. ~ ••*&&* \3fc* *U^ •H_____r' 'iwi'.' .. ,•..-,. .; , 1^^^™^ I S5 / •-. 4'-' U* V ••• . • £S»; J_.>- V"*w-___^rr™t-«iV-.c 'f0&Sm {**-'••:•&• *•. * ^-;*J &?*&* {ifr&riytLK MS • - ^i> J -"*»*«<• '•;• Pholo by Beth Young Benny, a sheltie mix owned by Chuck and Helen Bly, enjoys a game of fetch with a soggy tennis ball at last years Pet Pool Party. Civilian Health Promotions offers awareness services According to an initial %amplinff of raw data from Hill AfB employee blood screening'*, a notable percentage of employed who have utilized the Civilian Health Promotions Service program have indicators of potential health problenn: 00.1% --- moder^tf r\:,V of heart disfase (buied on total choteitcfolto HOt ratio) 23.7% -ImjfirKkof bcirf dis'jdi?1 (bu\ed on total cholesterol to HDL mtiu) "50.3 - hypfjf tensive (high 40.4% - ovtTWfir|til. ( body fiio'.'. indvx) jn.9% :, *i\jF^v (bnw.l 4% puwir/v for prr r\u\hr)'::. 27% -- por.iljvt.' for didhek'f. STORY COURTESY OF CIVILIAN HEALTH PROMOTIONS SERVICES OFFICE Hill AFB Since opening their doors in March, the Civilian Health Promotion Services Program has provided service to more than 1,700 civilian employees. The good news is that awareness is the first step in correcting possible health problems. Many employees have shared their stories with the health promotions staff. One such story involved an employee who had not been feeling well for some time, yet hadn't been to the doctor. The employee found through a health promotions blood screen result that she had indicators of hypertension and diabetes. The employee went to the doctor and was put on medications. She reported to the health promotions staff that she has made a 180-degree turn in her health, feels much better, and is also losing weight through an exercise program and the Civilian Fitness Program. Another employee reported that he had been checking his blood pressure in stores and was getting discouraged because the results showed he was continually in the pre-hypertension range despite exercising more and watching his diet. When he visited the health promotions services clinic and had a blood screening, the numbers were again very high. The staff educated him on the dangers of high blood pressure and some of the steps he could do, including seeing his physician. He took the test results to his physician and was put on blood pressure medication which immediately brought his blood pressure down to a normal range. The employee has been able to control his cholesterol with a new diet. He went on to say that Hill's small Civilian Health Promotions Service changed his life and attitude towards his health. The Civilian Health Promotions Service program offers a variety of free health awareness services to civilian employees including: • fasting blood draws (one per year) for cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and glucose • follow up appointments (up to four per year) for health questions, concerns, counseling • referrals to an on-line system to monitor personal health goals and progress • weight and blood pressure checks • health information and classes Employees can utilize the full range of services, or elect those services that meet their personal needs based on what they already know about their health and what works best for their health and goals. The Civilian Health Promotions Service clinic is located in Bldg. 546. Employees can contact the clinic for individual appointments and organizations can contact them for information on arranging on site visits for groups of employees. For more information, contact the clinic at 586-9584. |